First time vandwelling, Started Feb1/2013

[THECHEMICALS]

Not so bad. Im in a stealth van and work fulltime. I put my furniture in storage which i visit to pick up and drop off clothes and other things, but also to cleanup and make changes in my van.<BR><BR>I have no insulation and am in South Florida, and i have been just fine. However i dont ever stay in the van after 730-8am. I Have a futon and one infomercial-plastic table that is perfect for my setup. Other than that... i have a large and regular deep cycle battery with an invertor. Thats pretty much it... everything has been fine so far.<BR><BR>Saved about 1000 dollars this month, but expected monthly saving is much more than that-- This first month i kept having to buy odds and ends at walmart so didnt meet the budget standard. I believe at this rate i can save some good money this year. It was my new years resolution to be a spartan for a year to help gain capital for my daytrading and small business.<BR><BR>I cant say i have many gripes about the whole thing. I do wonder if anyone can hear me when im talking to my girl on the phone inside my van.... i just try to park as far away from cars without looking too suspicious.<BR><BR>The only other thing im worried of,if i ever have to deal with a police officer that he may contact my employer or buddies in the police dept at my job. I thought about not telling i have a job. I work in a municipality and if im ever founded out by a cop, im sure word will get around to my job that im living in a van. I once applied for a job 7 cities over and my boss found out i had applied and went to the interview.....<BR><BR>thx for listening.

 

[rabiesandpeewee]

Hi there,<br><br>I'm expecting to be full time in the van, in a month, or so. I don't have a whole lot of advice, as I'm still learning, but welcome! <br><br>Where are you parking?<br><br>I'm also wondering about work finding out we're living in vans. I'm a substitute teacher, and want to be a full-time teacher. However, it's a gamble I'm willing to take, either way. When one door closes, so they say <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"><br><br>Good luck!<br><br>-R+P

 

[maritimecamper]

I smile when you guys mention the difference that the extra income will make to your lifestyles. You folks will love this lifestyle. I've been at it for 24 years now, I don't want to sound like Im bragging, but the only bill I get is a 85 dollar cell /computer bill. Its the same amount each month as l have only once gone over my allowed time. This lifestyle is not perfect.Today I was walking around walmart wondering WHAT can l buy to make my life better? I found nothing I needed. If l find something at a thrift store,clothing, etc..I have to throw something else away..Im full up. Talk again.

 

[rabiesandpeewee]

24 years? And I'm just wondering if I can do it for a year Impressive!&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;I've done a lot of camping and hiking, and I crave that feeling of having everything you need, and nothing you don't. It's very liberating.

 

[THECHEMICALS]

I park at&nbsp; 2 different walmarts and 2 different home depots.

 

[rabiesandpeewee]

Very cool. Best of luck!

 

[Guest]

wish i could respond to more on here, but internet is sooo slooowww<br><br>it sounds good what your doing, many of us would like o "be there" already!

 

[THECHEMICALS]

Just another update... everything is going fine. March is just breezing by.<br><br><br><strong>Concerns</strong><br><br>I have been spending a lot more time at cafes like starbucks, panera bread, and burgerfi-- I have been using more money than id like to. Seems like whenever im at a cafe i start with just coffeee than blow more money on other stuff.<br><br>My deep cycle batteries dont last very long. I have a realy big once with something like 165 capacity and a smaller one with 105amp capacity but it seems after 2 nights- they are used up and the only thing plugged in is my laptop. It is however a gaming lappy and i play high end games on it.<br><br>Im finding it hard to find a good place to recharge my deep cycle batteries. I sometimes visit family and friends and recharge their but as far as a good regular place to recharge them.... im stump. Right now i have both my batteries dead in my van for over a week because i dont have a easy place to recharge them. The fact that they drain very fast doesnt help.<br><br>IM finding is difficult to go to the gym....im not sure if the van living has made me lazy or muddled, but i cant seem to get to the gym anymore.<br><br>If i dont wear ear plugs....i cant sleep. SO much random noise in the middle of the night at these lots.<br><br>My confidence in getting women is shot. I just dont have a home to take them too or a car to ride them in. <br><br>Im paranoid people at work will find out what im doing.<br><br>IM always worried my van will break down even though it is in great shape.<br><br>I havent been as "socially" outgoing as i should be for someone that is homeless.<br><br><strong>Positives</strong><br><br>The van life is not as hard as i thought it would be. Its actually been very easy to do and fast to get used to.<br><br>Im saving good money and learning to be more humble. <br><br>Im happy. I feel as if i have a good direction and goals to meet this year.<br><br>I am dating someone (met her before moving into a van) and the social aspect has kept me strong. <br><br>Im visiting family and friends more often and doing activities with them.<br><br>A lot of anxiety that rent and bills gave me has been removed from my life.<br><br>I enjoy driving around looking for places to stay/sleep at;And not being tied to an apartment wher ei would go to after work and slouch in a sofa.<br><br><br><br><br><br><br>

 

[peacetara]

Spend your time in Parks, Museums and libraries instead of Fast Food and restaurants! Whenever visiting a city, I always like to check out the local library and parks, and if I can afford a museum, I do that too!&nbsp; For me it has lowered my expenses while in cities a lot, and it has enriched my life.&nbsp; If you take your laptop into the Library, you usually get Free WIFI, and you can read lots of books, talk with the librarians about awesome places to visit/see while you are there, etc.<br><br>Librarians are an amazing source of information!<br><br>I'm glad you are doing really well!<br><br>Around your battery problem, it sounds like you are using more electricity than you have.&nbsp; A few quick notes here:<br>&nbsp; * Draining your batteries to DEAD all the time is really really hard on your batteries.<br>&nbsp; * Leaving them dead for a week or more is really bad for your batteries<br><br>Batteries are crazy, seriously.&nbsp; They need constant pampering to stay happy.<br><br>You should look into recharging methods:<br>&nbsp;&nbsp; *) a generator (the smaller quieter Honda type generators might work better)<br>&nbsp;&nbsp; *) Solar panels.<br>&nbsp;&nbsp; *) Wind generators (usually not as good a deal as solar per watt produced)<br>&nbsp;&nbsp; *) visiting more friends that let you plug in and charge.<br><br>Also, think about changing your electricity usage, to minimize it:<br>&nbsp;&nbsp; * gaming habits, to only game a lot while @ the library or other free power source.<br>&nbsp;&nbsp; * find other ways to conserve electricity while at home(in the van).<br><br>In your positives you mention dating, and in your cons you list not being able to 'get women'.&nbsp; I would think perhaps your GF(?) might have issues with you trying to date more women while with her? <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"> And the inner feminist in me has to say, we aren't a bag of dorito's that you 'get', we are pretty awesome people you can make a partnership with, or I like to think anyway! <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle">&nbsp; I'm sure you didn't mean getting us like a bag of dorito's, but, your choice of words here could be taken that way.<br><br>Please don't think I'm upset with you, ok?&nbsp; I'm not!&nbsp; I hope the rest of March breezes by for you!!!<br><br>Anyways, I wish you lots of successes!<br><br>With Love,<br>Tara

 

[THECHEMICALS]

I love all flavor Doritos <IMG class="emoticon bbc_img" src="https://vanlivingforum.com/images/boards/smilies/tongue.gif">&nbsp;. Im not boyfriend material.&nbsp;I do have a girlfriend but thats complicated.<BR><BR><BR>Dont worry im not upset. I like talking to women with different ideas than mine.

 

[peacetara]

Well, I wish you lots of success on your adventures!&nbsp; I don't like all flavors... Cool Ranch isn't much fun! <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"><br><br>With Love,<br>Tara

 

[WheelEstate USA]

I agree with Tera about solar panels and power management.
Its also correct that the worst thing is to leave deep cycles in a state of discharge.

You have 2 different batteries and that isn't so good either. Best to have a matched set. Deep cycle marine are not true deep cycle batteries.
Two 6v golf cart batteries will give you the most amp hours unless you go to huge Trojans.

Read up on batteries and solar to learn more about what will work better for your needs. Living in your van for a year will be a lot more comfortable with a little research and proper equipment. You'll be a darn site happier too.

Insulating a van with 2' foam will cut down on noise a whole bunch. Also helps resist cool temps and heat. You can dress it up with some thin paneling and have a nice space.

Sounds like like you have a good outlook and should be ok. Money invested correctly on the front end will be bucks in your pocket in the long run when you consider all the bills you WON'T be paying down the road.

Good luck and have fun.

 

[mockturtle]

<span id="post_message_1277252255">I love all flavor Doritos</span>

&nbsp; So does this guy <img src="/images/boards/smilies/biggrin.gif" class="emoticon bbc_img">:<a href="" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> </a>